“Playing for Keeps” – PG-13 – (for some sexual situations, language and a brief intense image) Lackluster comedy about a charming, down-on-his luck former soccer star who tries to put his life back together by coaching his son's soccer team. (McClatchy-Tribune) 1 hour, 46 minutes. Grade:
D. Review,
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CONTINUING

“24/7 in Love” – Not rated – (Century Promenade 25) Romance anthology in which several characters are involved in various crazy antics for love's sake. (
en.wikipedia.org) In Filipino, Tagalog and English with subtitles. 2 hours, 10 minutes.

“Argo” – R – (for language and some violent images) Thriller about the covert operation to rescue six Americans who sought refuge in the Canadian Embassy when Iranian militants stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979. (The Associated Press) 2 hours. Grade: A

“Chasing Mavericks” – PG – (for thematic elements and some perilous action); (Regency Charter Centre Cinemas, Woodbridge Movies 5) An entertaining drama about a young boy who forges a unique friendship with the man he enlists to train him to surf some of the biggest waves on earth. 1 hour, 54 minutes. Grade: C+

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days” – PG – (for some rude humor); (Picture Show at MainPlace) Family comedy about Greg Heffley's plans for summer, which include crashing the gates of an exclusive country club and trying to impress a pretty girl. (McClatchy-Tribune) 1 hour, 34 minutes. Grade: C

“Flight” – R – (for drug and alcohol abuse, language, sexuality/nudity and an intense action sequence) Drama about a hero pilot who saves his passengers by crash landing a plane after a midair emergency, only to come under scrutiny as details of the incident emerge. (McClatchy-Tribune) 2 hours, 15 minutes. Grade: B+

“Holy Motors” – Not rated – (violence, sex, nudity, language); (Edwards University Town Center 6) Drama about a shadowy character who frequently changes identities, accompanied by a woman driving a limousine that transports him around Paris. (Chicago Tribune) In French, English and Chinese with subtitles. 1 hour, 55 minutes. Grade: A-

“Jab Tak Hai Jaan” – Not rated – (Edwards Westpark 8) A man, forced to lead double lives due to a tragedy, must choose between his love and a friend, while his muse must choose between her love and a righteous ideal. (
imdb.com) In Hindi with subtitles. 2 hours, 56 minutes.

“Killing Them Softly” – R – (for violence, sexual references, pervasive language, and some drug use) Drama about a professional hit man hired to take care of business after a heist that went down during a mob-protected poker game. (McClatchy-Tribune) 1 hour, 31 minutes. Grade: B+

“A Late Quartet” – R – (for language and some sexuality); (Edwards Westpark 8) A world-renowned string quartet's years of collaboration and friendship are challenged when one member announces his retirement. (McClatchy-Tribune) 1 hour, 46 minutes. Grade: C+

“Life of Pi” – PG – (for emotional thematic content throughout, some scary action scenes and peril) A spectacular adventure drama about the son of a zookeeper who survives a shipwreck by making his way aboard a lifeboat with a zebra, an orangutan, a hyena and a Bengal tiger. (Fort Worth Star–Telegram) 2 hours, 7 minutes. Grade: A

“Lincoln” – PG-13 – (for an intense scene of war violence, some images of carnage and brief strong language) A mesmerizing, brilliantly acted drama about Abraham Lincoln's final months in office, when he worked to end the Civil War, unite the country and abolish slavery. (The San Francisco Chronicle) 2 hours, 30 minutes. Grade: A

“The Man with the Iron Fists” – R – (for bloody violence, strong sexuality, language and brief drug use); (AMC Fullerton 20, Picture Show at MainPlace, Regal Garden Grove 16) On the hunt for a fabled treasure of gold, a band of warriors, assassins and a rogue British soldier descend upon a village in feudal China, where a humble blacksmith looks to defend himself and his fellow villagers. (
imdb.com) 1 hour, 36 minutes.

“The Other Son” – PG-13 – (for a scene of violence, brief language and drug use); (Edwards Westpark 8) Two young men, one Israeli and one Palestinian, discover they were accidentally switched at birth. (
imdb.com) In French with subtitles. 1 hour, 45 minutes.

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” – PG-13 – (for mature thematic material, drug and alcohol use, sexual content including references and a fight – all involving teens); (Century Promenade 25; Edwards: Brea East 12, University Town Center 6) Thoughtful coming-of-age drama features moments of uncomfortable honesty and dreamlike wonder as it follows three friends through all the rituals of a high school year. (The Associated Press) 1 hour, 43 minutes. Grade: B

“Red Dawn” – PG-13 – (for sequences of intense war violence and action, and for language) A ridiculous action adventure about a group of young American patriots who band together to liberate their town from foreign invaders. (San Francisco Chronicle) 1 hour, 54 minutes. Grade: D

“Rise of the Guardians” – PG – (for thematic elements and some mildly scary action) Disappointing animated family adventure about a group of storybook heroes who join forces against an evil spirit. (McClatchy-Tribune) 1 hour, 37 minutes. Grade: D

“A Royal Affair” – R – (for sexual content and some violent images); (Edwards Westpark 8) An entertaining drama about the love triangle involving the queen of Denmark, her deranged king and a German doctor in the royal court. (McClatchy-Tribune) In Danish, English, German and French with subtitles. 2 hours, 17 minutes. Grade: B+

“Silver Linings Playbook” – R – (for language and some sexual content/nudity) A delightful comedy about a man who is determined to rebuild his life and reconcile with his wife after spending time in a mental institution. (McClatchy-Tribune) 1 hour, 55 minutes. Grade: A

“Taken 2” – PG-13 – (for intense sequences of violence, some sensuality) Lethargic action thriller about a retired CIA agent who must free himself and his wife when they are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper he killed while rescuing his daughter two years earlier. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) 1 hour, 31 minutes. Grade: C-

“Talaash” – Not rated – (AMC 30 at The Block at Orange; Edwards Westpark 8) A cop, a housewife and a prostitute get entangled in a mystery that links their lives in unexpected ways. (
imdb.com) In Hindi, English and Marathi with subtitles. 2 hours, 19 minutes.

“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2” – PG-13 – (for sequences of violence including disturbing images, some sensuality and partial nudity) Fantasy drama about Bella and Edward's efforts to protect their child from the Volturi is the most thrilling and engaging film of the series. (The Associated Press) 1 hour, 55 minutes. Grade: B

“A Werewolf Boy” – Not rated – (Edwards University Town Center 6, Regal La Habra 16) A Korean grandmother remembers her family's move to a new home after the war, where they come across a mysterious wild boy. (
imdb.com) In Korean with subtitles. 2 hours, 2 minutes.

“Wreck-It Ralph” – PG – (for some rude humor and mild action/violence) Delightful animated family comedy about a video game character who travels through the arcade trying to become a hero instead of always being the bad guy. (McClatchy-Tribune) 1 hour, 38 minutes, plus an eight-minute short. Grade: A-

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